Central Khutbah: “The Paths to Salvation”

Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds, the One who guides us from darkness to light, who teaches us what we did not know, and who grants His mercy to every repentant heart. May peace and blessings be upon His servant and Messenger, Muhammad, upon his noble family, his companions, and all those who follow him until the Day of Judgment.

Brothers and sisters,

the human heart is constantly seeking salvation: to be protected from sin, to have light in the grave, to be able to cross the bridge over Hell, and to be placed under the Shade of Allah’s Throne. One of the great scholars of this community, Imam Ash-Shafi’i – may Allah have mercy on him – summarized these deep aspirations in words of great wisdom. He said:

“We sought to abandon sins – and we found it in the Duha prayer.”

The Duha prayer is not a simple supererogatory prayer. It is a moment of intimacy with Allah, at a time when most people are absorbed by this worldly life. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
“Each joint of the human body must offer a charity each day the sun rises… and praying two units of Duha is sufficient as charity for all the joints.” (Muslim)

Whoever performs this prayer leaves behind the comfort of life for a sincere meeting with his Lord. It is a clear path to abandoning sins.

“We sought light in the grave – and we found it in the recitation of the Qur’an.”

The Qur’an is not merely a text; it is light, a source of guidance, a loyal companion. The Prophet said:
“Recite the Qur’an, for it will come as an intercessor for its companions on the Day of Judgment.” (Muslim)

Ibn Mas‘ud, may Allah be pleased with him, said: “Whoever loves the Qur’an, loves Allah and His Messenger.”
The more the heart is infused with the Book of Allah, the more illuminated and peaceful the grave will be.

“We sought to cross the bridge (As-Sirāt) – and we found it in fasting and charity.”

The bridge on the Last Day is thinner than a hair and sharper than a sword. Only those whom Allah protects through their sincere deeds will pass. The Prophet said:
“Fasting is a shield.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
And he also said:
“Charity extinguishes sins just as water extinguishes fire.” (Tirmidhi)

Whoever fasts sincerely and gives generously will be among those whose feet are made firm above the Fire.

“We sought the shade of the Throne – and we found it in the company of the righteous.”

The Prophet mentioned among the seven categories of people who will be under the Shade of the Throne:
“Two men who loved each other for the sake of Allah, meeting for His sake and parting for His sake.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

The company of the righteous is a school for the heart, a constant reminder, a silent protection. Ibn Juzayy said:
“The company of the pious purifies the heart, while keeping the heedless darkens it.”

Brothers and sisters,
whoever seeks to abandon sin: let him hold firmly to the Duha prayer.
Whoever seeks light in the grave: let him live with the Qur’an.
Whoever seeks to cross the bridge: let him fast and give charity.
And whoever seeks the Shade of the Throne: let him cling to the company of the righteous.

Let us ask Allah to make these deeds easy for us, to forgive our sins, to illuminate our graves, to keep our steps firm on the bridge, and to gather us under the Shade of His Throne among the truthful and the righteous.

Amin, ya Rabb al-‘Alamin.

(Central khutbah by the religious leader Hafiz Hilmija Redžić on May 2 2025, at the “Association Islamique et Culturelle Al-Rahma” in Differdange)